Tag: blues

So what happens when one of rock's most legendary figures -- that would be Eric Clapton -- teams with one of jazz's most prolific and controversial figures -- that would be Wynton Marsalis -- for an evening of vintage-style blues and jazz? Why you get the fantastic new CD/DVD Wynton Marsalis & Eric Clapton Play the Blues: Live From Jazz at Lincoln Center, that's what happens!
And because I'm such a generous guy, I'm offering you the chance to win a copy of this excellent CD/DVD set, courtesy Rhino Records. Ain't I swell?
To win your very own copy of Wynton Marsalis & Eric Clapton Play the Blues, all you need to do is send me an email with the subject line "Send Me the Blues!". I'll pick a winner at random some time in the near future. As long as the email link in this post is

If there's one thing the internet lacks, it's pointless music lists. So to fill that void, here's a sampling of my favorite albums from some random year. Let's say, 1983.
(Spotify users, check out the accompanying playlist and subscribe!)
Robert Plant, The Principle of Moments -- While I would in no way claim that Robert Plant's solo output bests Led Zeppelin's music, a lot of times I simply prefer to listen to Plant. In fact I'd say that Plant has enjoyed one of the most artistically rewarding solo careers of any artist who was part of a popular band that I can think of. The Principle of Moments is probably my favorite Plant solo effort (next to Fate of Nations) -- he sounds freed from the constraints of creating larger-than-life rock and the music just crackles with energy. "In the...

While digging up information for yesterday's edition of Sunday Jazz, I came across this old jazz compilation from Remington Records called The Birth of Bebop and Blues (RLP 1031).
This 10" LP contains seven songs, many of which feature legendary saxophonist Charlie "Bird" Parker playing with Clyde Hart's All Stars. They were originally recorded for the Continental Records label, and later transferred in various combinations to Remington in the early '50s.
I don't have any info on the graphic design or illustration, but I can say that I've seen quite a few Continental/Remington covers and they are very cool indeed.

It's been a slow week here at the Suit. Real life and such sometimes gets in the way of writing, unfortunately. So as we inch ever closer to Memorial Day and the unofficial start of summer, let's cut loose a little. Here's one of the better tracks off the latest release from blues guitarist and singer extraordinaire Tab Benoit, "Come and Get It." The album is called Medicine, and it's a burner. It's his first studio LP since 2007's Power of the Pontchartrain, and it may just be part of the soundtrack for your summer if you don't mind.
Related articles
Benoit and The Bear (thebigchilicookoffevergreen.wordpress.com)
Stories from the Gulf, one year on (cnn.com)

Years ago I picked up a budget jazz CD set called Jazz Master Files. I figured I'd find three of four songs I liked on it -- instead it turned out to be a treasure trove of excellent jazz covering most of the genre's golden years. One of the tracks on it is a sizzling live performance of "St. Louis Blues" by Louis Armstrong and his band. I had never heard the song before, but instantly fell in love with it thanks to this version (sadly, the CD contained no information on the performance itself so I can't place a date or venue).
Published in 1914 by W.C. Handy, "St. Louis Blues" remains one of the most popular and enduring songs in jazz history for good reason. It's energetic and simple, yet has melody that just won't quit. The most famous take of the song is probably the 1925 rendition ...

This popped up on a last.fm mix the other day, and I stopped what I was doing and proceeded to dance around the room like a mental patient. I figure this little blues boogie is as good a way as any to kick off the week, now that spring is at the doorstep and the last vestiges of snow are melting away.
It's Tab Benoit with "So High", off of his 1992 debut album Nice & Warm. This is recommended for fans of Stevie Ray Vaughan, although this has more of a New Orleans flavor than a Texas one.

I am very passionate about my music, as anyone who knows me can attest. But it turns out that Paul Webster Feinstein is even more passionate. Mr. Feinstein, unhappy with some changes made to his Internet radio show, opted to show his displeasure by setting the station on fire. Yikes! This guy's show may have been all about the blues, but this move is totally rock 'n' roll.
Oh, and not to go off on a rant, but here's a big shout out to the Associated Press for their mad fact-checking skillz. Their article makes a point of stating that this guy is a jazz fan and he had a jazz show. But a quick look at some of his past playlists shows it to be mostly blues-oriented. The show's tagline even asks, "Do you bleed the blues?" Cripes, great job AP.